Has anyone purchased and or used the meat grinder attachment for a kitchen Aid mixer? I currently have a kitchen aid and am thinking about purchasing the meat grinder attachment to make our own sausage. I am wondering if they are strong enough and if they past very long.
Or if anyone has any experience with any other type of meat grinders?
The meat grinder attachment for the Kitchen Aid mixer works great. I've used mine for years to grind my own beef (that way I know exactly what's in there!). It is still in great condition. I recommend it as an attachment. The unit the grates cheese has been known to wear out every few years due the plastic cracking, but the meat grinder doesn't get the same stress. I've only made sausage with it once, but it did work.
I have the meat grinder attachment. I have to tell you my kitchenaid is probably 20 years old but it still looks the same as the ones they sell now so I don't know what changes they might have made. I've only used it a few times because I found it to be too much work for the outcome. The mixer & attachment performed well, I think I am just a little lazy. Long term I would have to say they make a wonderful product. My mother had hers for 40 years. The only kitchenaid item I've ever had an issue with is the blender and that was a plastic part. So go for it girl!!!
Funny you should ask this -- I actually DO have a meat grinding attachment for my KitchenAid, and I would not recommend it. The unit causes the KitchenAid to overheat with minimal use. If you are grinding meat, I'd get a meat grinder and save the money!
It works great! We use ours often and we do not have any problems.
Dear A.,
I purchased a Kitchen Aid mixer in 1975. Attachments came a few years later and the meat grinder was one of them. I am still using it here in 2008! Great little machine.
I buy fresh large cuts of meat (less expensive) and I grind it myself. That way I can trim away the fats and gristle,and make my own meat combinations.
I try to reduce fats in our diet. When fresh, never frozen turkeys come on the market near Thanksgiving, they are about $1.09 a pound and they have the lowest fat content. I buy one or two of the larger birds. I remove the skins, bones and all the fats from the breast and thighs which I set aside to grind with other meats.
Fat is trimmed from fresh, never frozen USDA Choice heavy beef roast (least expensive cuts). I use 2/3 part turkey and 1/3 part beef. Put it through the grinder twice on the small blade. The ground meat is measured into 1/2 cup (4 ounce) portions, put into fold over sandwich bags, then packaged 12 to a gallon zip lock freezer bag, labeled, dated and frozen.
Pork roasts are processed the same way. Lamb (which has a very distinct flavor and is more expensive) is 1/4 part to 3/4 part turkey. The dark meat has a higher fat content and has a more intense turkey flavor, whereas the breast meat is less fatty and more mild.
The livers are trimmed, sliced into thin strips, seasoned with paprika, sauteed with bacon and chopped shallots and served with steamed rice The turkey drum sticks and meaty parts of the wings are frozen separately, then roasted later for other meals.
The skins, bones from the carcasses, wing tips and backs are seasoned, roasted with onions, celery and carrots then used along with the hearts, gizzards and necks to make broth. After it is chilled and defatted it is strained and measured into 1/4 cup, 1 and 2 cup portions and frozen. The meat pieces and the vegetables are pureed and frozen in small quantities. The puree makes an excellent base for sauces. The small portions can be used to steam vegetable. Larger portions can be used for soups, stews, and gravies. The skins are chopped and used a bit at a time in the homemade dog food.
With the Kitchen Aid grinder I can make regular hamburger with just plain beef, too. Pork sausage is much better home made.
The nicest thing about using the grinder is that you know exactly what is going into the ground meats.
I believe you will enjoy using the meat grinder attachment. You will be able to make more nutritious and less expensive meals.
Merylyn (aka M.)
I have a kitchen aid mixer and the grinder is fabulous! The attachment is durable and well worth the money. Try the pasta attachment as well. You'll love it
Dear A.,
My friend used to have her own restaurant. She is a marvelous cook! We love going and staying with her because we get spoiled like crazy with the wonderful things she makes.
Her Kitchen Aid mixer is her best friend. She uses it for everything. She has the meat grinder attachment and loves it. She grinds steaks to make her burgers and she grinds chicken breasts to grill the most wonderful twist on Chicken Cordon Bleu. She also makes her own sausage.
It's well worth the investment if you use it as often as she does hers.
I say, Go for it!
I love my kitchen aid meat grinder. I've made my own ground beef for burgers as well as my own sausage (Bruce Aidells has a book called Flying Sausages that has wonderful recipes). I've never had my mixer overheat. As for cleaning the parts, it's not a big deal, and I usually make a bunch at a time and freeze some for later so it's well worth any mess. Good luck!
I have one and I love it. I use it to make chicken sausage for my daughter.
I've used one before and it does work quite well. Kitchenaid stuff lasts forever so I'm sure the same applies to the grinder. FYI, if you already have a good food processor, that also works really well for grinding meat. I have a Kitchenaid food processor and I use that when I want to grind beef for hamburgers. Have fun making sausage, that sounds yummy!
I have the meat grinder attachment, only used a few times, and am very happy with it. Although it says it grates cheese but that didn't work so well. It was a mess and a pain to clean. For meat is does work.
